The Mets' Metness (Part Two)

Here is part two of a list of what makes the Mets what they are, and what no other team can claim. Ed Kranepool: What other team has a mediocre first baseman/outfielder/pinch hitter as its all-time leader in many statistical categories? And when I say mediocre, I mean it in a loving way. Kranepool played his whole career for the Mets from 1962–'79. He was there from the beginning and the New York–born big lug is still beloved today. He's the all-time Mets leader in games played (1,853), hits (1,418), at bats (5,436), doubles (225), total bases (2,047), sacrifice flies (58), and even grounded into double plays (138) and outs made (4,276). 1986 Mets: It wasn't just a World Series but one of the greatest World Series ever. And it wasn't just game six, as Jerry Seinfeld once said, it was GAME SIX. Mookie Wilson hitting the ball through Bill Buckner's legs. Ray Knight winning the MVP. Gary Carter's home runs. Keith Hernandez's clutch hitting. Darryl Strawberry's series-deciding homer in the seventh game. Jesse Orosco's glove flying in the air. Wade Boggs crying. Need we say more? The Apple: What other team would have a crappy apple that pops out of a hat when the home team hits a home run? Mets fans don't want flash, pyrotechnics or modern technology. They want a giant apple to rise out of a hat. And they love it. For the record, it was installed at Shea for 1980's The Magic Is Back slogan (I don't think I want the kind of magic the 1980 Mets had), and the team just decided to keep it all these years?or maybe couldn't figure out how to take it down. Some version of the Apple will be represented at CitiField. Ya Gotta Believe: Tug McGraw's rallying cry for the 1973 season perfectly captures the underdog spirit that's been with the franchise since its inception. Started as a goof on M. Donald Grant's speech to the team, it took on a life of its own. McGraw's joie de vivre and the team's never-say-die attitude (Yogi Berra's "It ain't over till it's over" was coined that year) have lived on through the years. The Mets have only won two World Series, but you always gotta believe. The Announcers: Other teams have legendary announcers. The Dodgers have Vin Scully. The Tigers had Ernie Harwell. The Cubs had Harry Caray. But the Mets had three legends?at the same time. From 1962 to 1978 the team employed Ralph Kiner, Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson. They all rotated between TV and radio during the game. But they were more than just voices. Ralph Kiner, of course, had his post-game show Kiner's Korner. If you grew up in the '60s or '70s, sometimes Kiner's Korner was better and more entertaining than the game itself. Where else could you find a gleeful Tom Seaver, jersey untucked, pounding a can of Rheingold and cackling like that uncle you have who's having just a little too much fun. Bob Murphy had his Happy Recap. And what kid in the New York area wasn't doing his Bob Murphy impression while playing a game of stickball or Wiffle ball? Lindsey Nelson was a true professional but was most known for his ugly, colorful jackets. Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling are the best announcers in the game today, and are well on their way to legendary status. Hopefully they can make it through 17 years together like Kiner, Murphy and Nelson. Mr. Met: The best mascot in baseball, hands down. The Phillie Phanatic? Wally the Green Mascot? Give me a break. Around since 1962, the baseball-headed, but good-hearted character has entertained children for decades. And all the commercials he's starred in over the past few years have only added a new dimension to his versatility. Mr. Met may have "00" on his jersey, but he's #1 in our hearts.